Salem Cemetery Lot No. 24: John N. Fox, Owner

There are three known graves on Lot No. 24 (from south to north), those of John N. Fox; his second wife, Isabelle (Solinger) Groves/Shelton/Fox/Welch; and their son, Earl. There is no inscription on the stone marking Isabelle's grave.

FATHER
JOHN N. FOX
1839-1914

OBITUARY: JOHN N. FOX

Mr. John N. Fox passed away at his home on East Armory Avenue in Chariton on Sunday morning, January 4th, 1914, at the age of seventy-four years, eleven months and twenty-six days, after an illness of several years' duration with gangrene of the foot and a complication of troubles. Funeral services, conducted by M.C. Lorimor, were held at the family home on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Salem cemetery.

John N. Fox was born in Ohio on January 9th, 1839. On January 6th, 1863, he was united in marriage to Sarah Jane Rickey (actually Rickets), who died several years later. To this union seven children were born, six of whom are living. They are Mrs. Eliza Smith of Oklahoma; Mrs. Clara Woods, of Fairmont, Neb.; Mrs. Mae McKelvey, of Des Moines; Etta and Orpha, of Chariton, and Boney, of Oklahoma. Mr. Fox was again married on April 9th, 1893, to Mrs. Isabella Shelton, who survives him. To them one son, Earl, of this city, was born. Mr. Fox was a good, christian man, and bore his intense sufferings with a patience and fortitude that were remarkable. He had resided in Lucas county for many years, and was esteemed by all who knew him for his many excellent qualities. His demise will be mourned by a host of friends who will extend sincere sympathy to the surviving relatives. (The Chariton Herald Patriot, 8 January 1914)

Isabelle and John N. Fox, courtesy of Richard E. Fox via Roberta Tuller.

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STONE WITH NO INSCRIPTION
Marking the grave of Isabelle Fox

Isabelle (Solinger) Fox/Welch is buried between her third husband, John N. Fox, and their son, Earl Fox. Although her grave is marked, there is no inscription on the tombstone. Lucas County death records show that Isabel (sic) Welch, female, age 82 years, 4 months, 8 days, housekeeper, born Illinois, died Jan. 23, 1935, in Chariton of chronic endocarditis and was buried at Salem Cemetery. The following obituary was published in The Chariton Leader of 29 January 1935. Note that the ages at death given in the death record and the obituary differ.

DEATHS: MRS. WM. P. WELCH

Mrs. Wm. P. Welch died at her home on east Woodlawn avenue on Wednesdaymorning, Jan. 23, 1935, at the age of 81 years, 5 months and 8 days. She had been in failing health for some time.

Funeral services, conducted by M. C. Lorimor, of Ottumwa, formerly of Chariton, were held at the Beardsley Funeral Home on Friday afternoon at two o'clock, and burial took place in the Salem cemetery.

Isabelle Solinger was born in Hardensville, Ill., on Aug. 15, 1853. When quite young she came to Iowa and for many years her home had been in Chariton, where she was well known and highly esteemed.

She is survived by her husband, Wm. P. Welch, of this city, and by four sons, Edward Groves of Winfield, Kansas; Leonard W. Shelton, of Reed Springs, Mo.; Thomas Shelton, of Des Moines, and Earl Fox, of Chariton; and one daughter, Mrs. Maud Netherow, of Des Moines; also one sister, Mrs. Lucy Burrell, of Lawrenceville, Ill., and a number of grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many friends.

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EARL FOX
SON
1895-1947

EARL FOX IS TAKEN BY DEATH

Earl Fox died suddenly Friday of a heart attack at his home, 821 Jay street, Ottumwa.

Fox was a former resident of Chariton employed as a switchman with the Burlington railroad being transferred to Ottumwa a few years ago. He is survived by his widow, Inez, and one son, Richard Earl, of Phoenix, Ariz.

Funeral services were held at the Lester Jay funeral home at Ottumwa Monday at 11:00 a.m. Burial was made in Salem cemetery southeast of Chariton. (The Chariton Leader, 11 February 1947)

Earl and Inez Fox, courtesy of Richard E. Fox via Roberta Tuller.